The Role of AI in Enhancing Health Equity: Addressing Social Determinants of Health Through Technology

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds significant promise for addressing health equity by analyzing and intervening in the social determinants of health (SDOH). This paper explores the potential of AI to mitigate disparities in health outcomes that arise from factors such as socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, and social support networks. By leveraging AI to analyze large datasets and implement targeted interventions, there is an opportunity to make substantial progress in closing health equity gaps. This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities of using AI to enhance health equity, with a focus on ethical considerations, the need for inclusive and diverse data, and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration. Through a detailed examination of AI applications in public health, this paper aims to provide insights into how technology can be ethically and effectively used to address the SDOH, thereby contributing to a more equitable healthcare system.